Profile: 45 | Porsche 944 S 1987 to 1989

16 valve update of the 944. Originally fitted with a 205/55ZR16 radial front tyre, and a 225/50ZR16 rear. There was also the option of a 225/50ZR16 radial front tyre, and a 245/45ZR16 rear.

The Porsche 944 made its debut at the autumn 1981 Frankfurt motor show; six months later it went on sale in the UK with a 163bhp 2479cc engine. A facelift in April 1985 brought a bigger fuel tank, a redesigned dashboard, better ventilation and a raft of other modifications to improve comfort and usability.

Things started to get serious in 1985 with the launch of the 220bhp Porsche 944 Turbo; there was also a redesigned nose to freshen up the car's design. A year later the 190bhp 944 S joined the range, but the hottest 944 of all reached showrooms in late 1987: the 250bhp 944 Turbo SE, of which just 70 right-hand drive examples were produced.

For hard-core enthusiasts the 944 Turbo was offered with a Club Sport chassis from July 1988, which brought adjustable suspension. Less than a year later the Porsche 944 S2 arrived to replace the previous edition; a 211bhp 2990cc engine was fitted. A 2.7-litre engine was fitted from June 1989 and at the same time the Porsche 944 S2 cabriolet was introduced.

There was a final flourish in 1990 in the form of the 944 Turbo Cabriolet, but by September 1991 the final Porsche 944 had been built.